Superbone
Encyclopedia
The Superbone is a hybrid trombone
. It has the slide mechanism of a standard trombone and the valve mechanism of a valve trombone.
It was created by Maynard Ferguson
in the 1970s, although similar instruments combining valves and a slide were mass produced in the early 20th century, some by C.G. Conn. The most well-known previous version of the valve-slide trombone was the Valide trombone
—the word is a portmanteau of 'valve' and 'slide'. Jazz trombonist and reedist Brad Gowans
invented the Valide trombone and was well known for playing one from the 1920s on into the 1950s, including with Jimmy Dorsey
. In the 1970s the Superbone, which has a different design (including a slide that locks) became a staple for trumpeters such as Ferguson and Don Ellis
, who doubled on the Superbone models built by Holton
(TR 395) in collaboration with Ferguson. the Superbone has three pieces: bell, slide and valve unit. The Valide trombone has only a bell and a valve/slide unit which does not lock.
Maynard Ferguson
recorded a chart entitled "Superbone Meets the Bad Man" on his Chameleon
album which features him playing his Superbone. Perhaps more demonstrative of the hybrid valve-slide trombone's capabilities is Ashley Alexander's recording "Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most
", found on his Secret Love album. Alexander demonstrates its flexibility to the full, utilising both slide and valves expertly, combining scoops and glissandi with fast segments of fingered riffs.
Alexander played a 'double trombone', an earlier version of the valve-slide trombone for lefties which had the slide on the left played with the left hand, while the valves were played with the right hand.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the hybrid valve/slide trombone can be found on a Duke Ellington recording, as Puerto Rica-born trombonist Juan Tizol started using it after he joined Duke's orchestra in 1929. Tizol was commonly credited as playing valve trombone. This can be seen in the 1933 film short by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra entitled "Bundle Of Blues".
Physically, a Superbone has the fully functioning slide of a traditional tenor trombone with 7 positions, when no valves are depressed. It also has a set of three valves, lying just after the slide in the airstream, which are arranged in the same manner as on other valved instruments of the same pitch. The player grips the valve section with their left hand, which supports the weight of the instrument. The player's right arm holds and moves the slide.
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
. It has the slide mechanism of a standard trombone and the valve mechanism of a valve trombone.
It was created by Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson was a Canadian jazz musician and bandleader. He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957...
in the 1970s, although similar instruments combining valves and a slide were mass produced in the early 20th century, some by C.G. Conn. The most well-known previous version of the valve-slide trombone was the Valide trombone
Valide trombone
The valide trombone is a valve-slide hybrid combination trombone invented by jazz musician Brad Gowans. The valide is a predecessor of the Superbone but is not the same instrument...
—the word is a portmanteau of 'valve' and 'slide'. Jazz trombonist and reedist Brad Gowans
Brad Gowans
Arthur Bradford "Brad" Gowans was an American jazz trombonist and reedist....
invented the Valide trombone and was well known for playing one from the 1920s on into the 1950s, including with Jimmy Dorsey
Jimmy Dorsey
James "Jimmy" Dorsey was a prominent American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, trumpeter, composer, and big band leader. He was known as "JD"...
. In the 1970s the Superbone, which has a different design (including a slide that locks) became a staple for trumpeters such as Ferguson and Don Ellis
Don Ellis
Don Ellis was an American jazz trumpeter, drummer, composer and bandleader. He is best known for his extensive musical experimentation, particularly in the area of unusual time signatures...
, who doubled on the Superbone models built by Holton
Holton (Leblanc)
Holton is a musical instrument manufacturer owned by Leblanc, a subsidiary of Steinway Musical Instruments' Conn-Selmer division. Founded by trombone player Frank Holton in 1898 in Chicago, the firm built wind instruments in Elkhorn, Wisconsin from 1918 until 2011.-Frank Holton:Frank E. Holton was...
(TR 395) in collaboration with Ferguson. the Superbone has three pieces: bell, slide and valve unit. The Valide trombone has only a bell and a valve/slide unit which does not lock.
Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson was a Canadian jazz musician and bandleader. He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957...
recorded a chart entitled "Superbone Meets the Bad Man" on his Chameleon
Chameleon (Maynard Ferguson album)
Chameleon is a 1974 big band jazz album by Maynard Ferguson. It features cover versions of many songs that were popular in the years leading up to its production, including: ""Jet"" by Paul McCartney, ""The Way We Were"" –which was popularized by Barbra Streisand, and "Livin’ For the City" by...
album which features him playing his Superbone. Perhaps more demonstrative of the hybrid valve-slide trombone's capabilities is Ashley Alexander's recording "Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most
Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most
"Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" is a popular song with lyrics by Fran Landesman, set to music by Tommy Wolf.-Notable recordings:*June Christy - The Song Is June! *Chris Connor - Double Exposure with Maynard Ferguson...
", found on his Secret Love album. Alexander demonstrates its flexibility to the full, utilising both slide and valves expertly, combining scoops and glissandi with fast segments of fingered riffs.
Alexander played a 'double trombone', an earlier version of the valve-slide trombone for lefties which had the slide on the left played with the left hand, while the valves were played with the right hand.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the hybrid valve/slide trombone can be found on a Duke Ellington recording, as Puerto Rica-born trombonist Juan Tizol started using it after he joined Duke's orchestra in 1929. Tizol was commonly credited as playing valve trombone. This can be seen in the 1933 film short by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra entitled "Bundle Of Blues".
Physically, a Superbone has the fully functioning slide of a traditional tenor trombone with 7 positions, when no valves are depressed. It also has a set of three valves, lying just after the slide in the airstream, which are arranged in the same manner as on other valved instruments of the same pitch. The player grips the valve section with their left hand, which supports the weight of the instrument. The player's right arm holds and moves the slide.